Services

Beer garden plans at Cerdic Wetherspoon in Chard

PEOPLE living next to the Cerdic Wetherspoon in Chard fear the pub giant’s latest attempt to create a beer garden will bring noise and parking problems.

Owners of the pub in Fore Street, which opened in 2002, have applied for a Lawful Development Certificate on land at the back of the building, which would mean, if successful, that developers would not need to apply for planning permission.

Residents in neighbouring Park Street and Essex Close hope cold water is poured over the plans.

One couple, from Park Street, who did not wish to be named, said: “We are not happy, it is going to be a noise issue.

“There are no problems at the moment and the pub is quite respectful but it will be difficult if there are people drinking in the open.There are a lot of elderly people who live around here.”

In 2007, the pub applied to create a beer garden but planning bosses at South Somerset District Council refused, saying it would bring “an unacceptable level of noise” to neighbouring properties.

Paul Davis, who has lived in Essex Close for nearly two years, said parking was his main concern.

He added: “We do not really get any noise but if they used the area for a beer garden I am concerned that shoppers who use it for parking at the moment will then use our residents’ parking area.”

Cllr Tony Prior, who chairs the planning committee on Chard Town Council, said he agrees with residents’ concerns.

He added: “They [patrons] will be out there with booze and cigarettes and the dwellings of Park Street and Essex Close are very close to that so their amenities and privacy needs to be taken into account.”

A spokesman for JD Wetherspoon confirmed they were looking into the possibility of creating a small outside area but added that it was in the early stages and no final plan or decision had been made.

He added: “We operate more than 900 pubs across the UK, in diverse locations, the vast majority with outside areas, which are managed responsibly.

“We appreciate the concerns of residents and all issues are being taken into consideration, during the planning process.”

Ipsoregulated

This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's Editors' Code of Practice. If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then please contact the editor here. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can contact IPSO here